Jose Pedraza Does Not Rule Out Juanma, Martinez Bouts

By Rey Colon

Puerto Rico's Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (11-0, 7 KO's), the undefeated WBC junior champion at 130 pounds, is well aware that he is very close to securing a world title shot in a division where his compatriots Juan Manuel Lopez and Roman 'Rocky' Martinez are two of the big names. Other experienced world-class fighters who are fighting at 130 pounds are Luis "El Artesano" Cruz, Orlando "Siri" Salido, Juan Carlos Burgos and Miguel Angel "Mikey" Garcia among others.

"We hope in God that we get this great opportunity [for a title shot] no later than early 2014. The average for a world title opportunity is 16 or 17 fights and I understand that this may happen [when I hit that] record. At this weight there are great fighters. The division is getting very interesting. There are many good prospects and boxers who want the title," he said.

And about the possibility of having to compete with Lopez and Martinez - Pedraza wouldn't like the idea of havingto face them, but he wouldn't rule it out if a title was at stake.

"Who knows. They are far ahead of me and this we must take it in stride but when it comes to a world title there's nothing more important. Unfortunately, thisis not like the old days when a Puerto Rican fighting a Puerto Rican was the last option. But everything has changed. And if you have to fight with a Boricua, unfortunately you have to do it," Pedraza said.